Metroline dismisses Mark Hehir

Mark Hehir, a bus driver for Metroline, was dismissed for gross misconduct after an incident on June 25, 2024. Hehir chased and knocked out a man who stole a passenger's necklace on his bus, then restrained him for nearly half an hour. Although released by police without charge and hailed as a 'hero' by the public, Metroline suspended and subsequently dismissed him. The company cited 'bringing the company into disrepute by physically assaulting a passenger' and 'failed to protect his and his passengers' safety by leaving the bus unattended with engine running and chasing an assailant'. An employment tribunal in United Kingdom — Watford upheld Metroline's decision, stating it was within the 'band of reasonable responses open to an employer'. Alina Gioroc, an operations manager, believed the thief intended to apologize and that Hehir's force was excessive.